A Stirring of the Spirit

In January of this past year, during Shelly Miltimore’s regular prayer time, she opened her Bible to Psalm 23, a passage she had read many times before. Yet this time, something felt different. Verse 4 seemed to reach out to her with unusual force:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.”

A deep impression filled her heart. She sensed that God was preparing her for something significant — something that would test her faith. It wasn’t fear she felt, but rather a holy seriousness. Shelly’s walk with God had always been strong. Her prayer life was steady, her trust sincere. In that moment, she responded as she knew she should: she surrendered. She told God she would fully trust Him, accepting whatever came — a complete act of faith.

Unbeknownst to her, her husband Randy was experiencing something similar. Around the same time, Randy found himself reflecting on the story of Job. He wondered what it would be like to face such suffering and asked God honestly: If such a trial were ever to come upon me, would I remain faithful? Would I be able to trust You, Lord, as Job did? His prayer was simple but sincere: if such a test ever came, he wanted to remain faithful.

Neither Shelly nor Randy knew it then, but their prayers were already preparing them for what was about to unfold.

An Unexpected Diagnosis

In February, Shelly scheduled a mammogram she had been putting off for several months. She felt perfectly healthy and had no reason to expect anything unusual. When the results came in, however, the doctor noted that one of her lymph nodes appeared enlarged and cancerous, prompting additional tests. Although the physician assured her it looked treatable and advised her not to worry, the news still landed with force.

The word cancer hit Shelly hard. Years earlier, her father had passed away from cancer, and now she heard the same possibility spoken over her life. How could this be? She felt no pain, no weakness, no symptoms at all. Yet in that moment, the Scriptures she had read earlier resonated in her mind: “Do not fear, for I am with you.” The peace of God settled over her heart. She admitted later that she felt fear for a brief instant, but just as quickly, it was replaced by a deep, consoling calm. She remembered her vow of surrender, her promise to trust God fully — and she meant it.

Further tests, however, brought even more sobering news. A PET scan revealed not just one suspicious lymph node but four separate areas of concern, including one on her first thoracic vertebra. This was not early-stage cancer. This was stage 4. The doctor explained the gravity of the situation and urged Shelly to begin aggressive chemotherapy immediately.

Choosing Faith Over Fear

From the beginning, Shelly felt strongly that chemotherapy was not the right course for her. Both she and Randy felt an inner uneasiness about the doctor’s recommendation. After prayer and conversation, they decided to seek a second opinion.
During this time, Shelly turned again to Scripture for strength. Isaiah 53:5 rang in her heart:

“By His stripes we are healed.”

She prayed with unwavering peace, telling God that she surrendered everything to Him. If He chose to heal her in this life or the next, she would trust His will. She prayed not with desperation but with faith-filled acceptance.

Her daughter Abbey, along with sons Nick and Drew, struggled with the news. They prayed fervently for their mother’s healing, while also praying for the grace to accept whatever God’s plan might be. Even the grandchildren joined in, writing out prayers for their grandmother and presenting them to her with childlike love and faith. The entire family threw themselves into prayer, uniting together in trust and hope.

What stood out most to them was Shelly’s peace. Even while facing stage 4 cancer, she radiated calm. She described the experience as though God Himself was holding her in His hands, keeping her safe. Shelly often turned to Scripture, citing verses such as Psalm 41:3: “The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health.” And Mark 5:34: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” For Shelly, these were not merely comforting words — they were anchors of faith.
When Shelly met with new doctors, they were stunned: despite scans showing cancer throughout her body, she had no pain or discomfort at all. “She should be in severe pain,” they remarked.

Unlike her first doctor, these physicians did not recommend chemotherapy, explaining that it would not be effective for her type of cancer. Instead, they prescribed medication which, though accompanied by severe side effects, eliminated the need for chemotherapy altogether. In hindsight, Shelly and Randy’s initial hesitation about chemo seemed justified.

Through all of this, Shelly remained steadfast. She prayed constantly, as did Randy, Abbey, Nick, Drew and the grandchildren. Their faith drew in their wider community as well. Abbey recalled her pastor praying for her mother, then another pastor in the area doing the same, and soon a chain of prayer began to form. Word spread to other towns and even to other states. People who had never met Shelly were praying daily for her healing. It was a visible, living example of the body of Christ coming together in love and intercession.

A Miraculous Healing

One day, in her prayers, Shelly asked God directly: Please, Lord, completely heal me of this cancer. She prayed with trust, not demand, and surrendered her request to His will.

Soon after, she returned for another PET scan, logging into the online medical portal to check the results. Previously, the cancer had appeared at a size level of 4. This time, the results showed a level of 1. At first, Shelly felt a flicker of disappointment — there was still something showing. Upon speaking with the doctor, she and Randy learned the truth: level 1, in this context, meant there were no active cancer cells remaining. The doctor confirmed plainly:

“The cancer is completely gone.”

The family was stunned. After sharing the news with a relative in the medical field, they could hardly believe it. 

He insisted, “That’s not possible! It’s just not possible!” 

Yet the truth remained — the cancer had disappeared.

There was no question in the Miltimore family’s mind — they had witnessed a miracle.

“Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 
-Mark 5:34
 

A Witness to Generations

Looking back, Randy reflects on all they endured. Their faith had been tested in ways they never imagined. Yet through prayer and surrender, they emerged not only with Shelly’s healing, but with a family whose faith was stronger than ever.

They also acknowledge an important truth: not every story ends this way. Many faithful believers face illness and do not experience miraculous healing in this life. But that does not mean their prayers go unheard. Sometimes, God heals by bringing His children home. Sometimes, He allows suffering for a purpose that is hidden to us but never wasted. The Miltimores know they were blessed in a profound way, and they carry deep gratitude for it.

Shelly’s healing is a radiant testimony of God’s power and the strength of prayer. Yet what may be even more beautiful is the way her family responded. From grandparents to grandchildren, every member turned to God. They prayed together, encouraged one another and lifted each other’s faith. Their unity in Christ became a witness not only to those who knew them but to countless others who heard their story. 

In Shelly’s words and actions, we see what it means to walk in faith without fear. In her family’s prayers, we witness the power of carrying one another’s burdens. Through her healing, the undeniable hand of God is revealed — reminding us all that He is alive, present and powerful today.